I know I post alot about my medical problems, but I really have nowhere else to turn. You all are so understanding and helpful, I just feel better asking here first. So bear with me...

It'll be a year in I believe January. Hubby and I were shoveling one of those heavy, wet, thick snowfalls that came down and I was doing it right, not too much on the shovel, which of course made it go even longer, and then on one particular heave ho I heard/felt this POP come from my tailbone area. It didn't hurt at all, it just sounded funny.

Well, after a couple of weeks the pain made its entrance and hasn't left. I went to the chiropractor and he fixed it for about a month. One quick crack and I was good to go, then it came back. I suffered for about 6 more months and decided I couldn't take the pain anymore and went back and it didn't help one bit.

I can't sit anywhere without getting up like an 95 yr old woman - extremely slow and painfully. It even hurts while I'm sitting in some places, especially the car! Yikes! That one is awful. And the getting up part is a thousand times worse. I do have a 'donut' pillow (does that make me old?) :oops:

I don't know what to do. No, I haven't been to the doctor for it, why you ask? Well most doctors don't like to listen/believe me when I tell them about my pains. And this one is literally a pain in the ***. :teehee:

Any suggestions? I've heard that tailbone injuries can take a long time to heal, but mine isn't healing at all. It hasn't gotten better only worse. I do pilates and yogo and walk a mile a day. So I'm not lacking in exercise, maybe not the right exercises, but I don't know what to do. When I google this stuff it comes up with a million different opinions on the subject and then I give up.

Help, anyone???

janelanespaintbrush

10-18-2006, 06:57 AM

:hug: :hug: :hug: Hugs and sympathy to you. I found this (http://www.coccyx.org/), though maybe you have already read through it.

debz

10-18-2006, 08:54 AM

sounds to me like you may need some x-rays done, if your doctor doesnt listen, go to the local A&E department, most problems should show up on the x-ray but if not it may mean you will need a CT or MRI scan.
my step mother actualy payed privately for hers to be done as the doctor wouldnt listen to her, it is expensive but well worth it.
good luck to you, i know lower back pain is the worst

Kniki

10-18-2006, 10:55 AM

sounds like you've put up with this long enough... What else are doctors for if not to help you? I would go and see them all, eventually they might refer you just to get rid of you...
I have been suffering with this during my pregnancy when i sit on a hard seat, its not nice... In Germany they are into accupuncture in quite a big way, i had it once, and although it didn't shift it completely (i should really have gone back) it did ease it enough to cope with...maybe thats worth a try? x

rebecca

10-18-2006, 11:28 AM

I must agree, you need to go to see a MD. I am blessed in that my docs listen. I am disabled and have pain as a result pretty much 24/7 so I can sympathize with you.
Allow me to share something that I have learned. With such an injury you have what the anesthesiologist that was doing my epidurals explained to me as a "Vicious cycle" you have an injury which creates inflammation and muscle spasms which create the pain which create the inflammationan and muscle spasms which create the pain, etc, etc
You have to break this cycle with medication for both the inflammation and spasms.
Now, granted, you may not be having spasms, it may very well be bone pain (which is bad, I know, have it every day of my life), but I guarantee you have inflammation, so much so that it needs to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. This is not something that you should play around with, it is possible that you could suffer with this for the rest of your life, arthritis can very well set in....go to the doc!
Sorry, I don't mean to sound pushy, it's just that I know that bone and/or muscle pain can be very bad and can't get worse if not treated properly, and I don't mean that your chiropractor treated you improperly, there are just times when one isn't enough.
I'm sending you big, big, big :hug: :hug: :hug:

10-18-2006, 01:26 PM

Thanks everyone. I called my doc today due to your encouraging posts and I go at 1:00 tomorrow. It's just my regular doctor so I won't get much done there but spend my $20 co-pay that's going to go up in the next few weeks. :grrr: As if we don't spend enough on insurance.

I regress.

I guess I'm just so leery of going to the doctor since so many people have this pain and it takes so long for the doctors to actually believe them and do something proactive. Maybe since I've had it for so long she'll do something a little more aggressive.

Anyway, thanks again for the posts. :heart:

CarmenIbanez

10-18-2006, 02:33 PM

When my son was young, there were problems. I KNEW there were problems. Through my own research, I figured out that he was probably autistic, although some of his symptoms were subtle, so it was not a slam dunk diagnosis. I took him to several doctors, one of whom had the nerve to tell me that all children develop at different paces, and I was an hysterical mother! :grrr:

Luckily a family member knew more about things than I, and told me that even though my son was only 3 I could take him to the school district for testing. So I did. And I did it without telling them anything about my own suspicions, so their opinion wouldn't be biased. Low and behold he was diagnosed with mild autism. Now some of you know the whole story about what I think is REALLY wrong with him but it is irrelevant to my point.

GET TO THE POINT! You say. Well you might say. My point is that YOU are your best advocate. You need to think of yourself as your own lawyer appearing in court to save your own life. The doctor is the judge and you must vociferously and zealously defend yourself. None of the degrees on the wall, none of the years in medical school, none of the experience in practice makes ANY doctor better equipped than you to know YOUR body (or your child's). Own that knowledge with the quiet confidence that says, "DON'T MESS WITH ME, I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT"! Be direct, be forceful. Be assertive. Go into the doctor and instead of ASKING what you should do, you say: I NEED AN XRAY. If the doctor doesn't want you to have one, ask to see another doctor, RIGHT THEN!

I'm not yelling. I am trying to show emphasis. I try to refrain from giving my pregnant friends advice. The only thing I ever tell them is: you are the only advocate your child will have. Don't let something think that because they studied anatomy, that they know your child (or yourself) better than you do!

Sorry for the rant. It breaks my heart to hear that someone has been mistreated so much by doctors that they are afraid to speak the truth to them.

Go forth and demand the respect and care that you deserve and pay for!!!!

:cheering: :hug: :muah:

10-18-2006, 02:50 PM

GET TO THE POINT! You say. Well you might say. My point is that YOU are your best advocate. You need to think of yourself as your own lawyer appearing in court to save your own life. The doctor is the judge and you must vociferously and zealously defend yourself. None of the degrees on the wall, none of the years in medical school, none of the experience in practice makes ANY doctor better equipped than you to know YOUR body (or your child's). Own that knowledge with the quiet confidence that says, "DON'T MESS WITH ME, I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT"! Be direct, be forceful. Be assertive. Go into the doctor and instead of ASKING what you should do, you say: I NEED AN XRAY. If the doctor doesn't want you to have one, ask to see another doctor, RIGHT THEN!

I'm not yelling. I am trying to show emphasis.I try to refrain from giving my pregnant friends advice. The only thing I ever tell them is: you are the only advocate your child will have. Don't let something think that because they studied anatomy, that they know your child (or yourself) better than you do!

Go forth and demand the respect and care that you deserve and pay for!!!!

I know you aren't yelling silly! :heart: :heart: Thank you for that encouraging post; perhaps you are available to go with me tomorrow? :rofl: I could really use someone like you to help me talk to my doctor.

I will try my best to make her listen to me, I would kinda like to bypass the x-ray since most of them don't show an injury when there is one. To me - go for the MRI. It's faster and shows more. Just my opinion.

CarmenIbanez

10-18-2006, 02:52 PM

Now you're talking! Go for the MRI. And yes, I would go with you, if you lived nearby. I actually go to the doctor with my best friend for this reason. Maybe in my next life, I'll be a "medical advocate"! :rofl: :teehee:

debz

10-18-2006, 03:02 PM

you are right, x-rays dont always show everything, but for me they showed clearly, i didnt have to have an mri or ct.
here in the Uk it is almost impossible to get an mri, without a long wait and very just cause. (unless you pay privately) in the US it may be different.
hope you get somewhere with your doc anyway

janelanespaintbrush

10-18-2006, 03:04 PM

I'm glad to hear you made an appt. Good luck tomorrow & let us know how it goes. :heart: :heart: :heart:

10-19-2006, 03:08 PM

Okay, I went to the doctor and surprise of all surprises all she did was take the x-rays. Which she said would probably show nothing. :roll:

She'll call me tomorrow with the results and if they are negative she tells me that I'll just have to live with the pain.

CarmenIbanez,
I told you I needed you to come with me :pout: . Oh well, should I push further? Or let sleeping dogs lie???

We just found out our insurance is changing (for the worse, of course) and I am just so tired of fighting for my own health. I know no one else is going to do it for me, but I don't have much left. Now I'm whining, I'm sorry.

janelanespaintbrush

10-19-2006, 03:27 PM

:grrr: :!!!: :-x

Have you thought of seeing someone else? It's her job to address your health concerns, not tell you to live with them. Maybe you can ask around and see if there isn't someone else who might be more receptive to your problems. That is just so bogus.

CarmenIbanez

10-19-2006, 03:29 PM

She'll call me tomorrow with the results and if they are negative she tells me that I'll just have to live with the pain.

Okay, seriously? This is like some long running bad joke. Did a doctor actually tell you that you'll have to "live with the pain"???? This is simple, if she tells you that there is nothing on the xrays and then tells you to live with it, you tell her that is unacceptable.

Use these words: that is not going to be acceptable to me. I expect you, as my physician, to help me find out what is causing my pain, and to treat it. If you cannot do that, you'll need to refer me to a physician who can offer me a second opinion, preferably someone not in your office.

Think about it, what is the worst that can happen if you do this? She says no? Then we find an alternate course of action. But what if she says okay? It would be worth the risk of stepping out of the comfort zone and demanding the kind of health care that you are paying for and deserve. And I swear if she tries to mess with you, I am getting on a plane and coming out there!!!!!

10-19-2006, 04:09 PM

She'll call me tomorrow with the results and if they are negative she tells me that I'll just have to live with the pain.

Okay, seriously? This is like some long running bad joke. Did a doctor actually tell you that you'll have to "live with the pain"???? This is simple, if she tells you that there is nothing on the xrays and then tells you to live with it, you tell her that is unacceptable.

Okay maybe not those exact words, but if I can recall she said that if the x-rays came back negative then I would just have to keep taking Ibuprofen, Advil, or Motrin to keep myself 'comfortable'. (Don't they know that those 3 are the exact same medication just different names??? Do I look that stupid?) So basically yes, she did say those words. Just in a different way. :!!!: :grrr:

I TAKE IBUPROFEN EVERY DAY FOR GOD'S SAKE. :hair: It doesn't do a damn thing for the pain. If it did, I wouldn't have went to her in the first place.

She's a nice doctor, but she's obviously only good for giving out antibiotics for infections. (sigh)

And I swear if she tries to mess with you, I am getting on a plane and coming out there!!!!!

Promise?? I'll even help you out with the ticket!! :heart: :heart:

CarmenIbanez

10-19-2006, 04:26 PM

Okay, so if she is as nice as you say, then it should be easy to push her around. You know, in a nice way. :teehee:

I would tell her that obviously you have an injury that is not getting better, so if the xray doesn't show something, then you'll need another test that will.

I'm telling you, I see a future career for myself. I am going to start a non-profit foundation that provides medical advocates to people in need!!

:rofl:

Pixywhispers

10-19-2006, 08:55 PM

As a selfemployeed under insured adult (with family) who pays out of pocket for everything, I say find someone who is proactive. Shes already given up. Find someone else. There are pain specialists who help figure out whats wrong.

I am amazed when a Dr blatantly isn't doing their job or just doing it badly and we continue to keep going back to them. If it were some fix it man at the house who we were having a hard time with we would have already found someone else. Why is it that when its a DR we hang around for the abuse? I hate that we have a disconnect when its our health or that of our babies. We are letting them take advantage of us. BTDT. Trying not to do it anymore.

I also have learned that if I want things done I have to do the research to find out whats wrong and how to treat it. And find the right Dr who knows we are a team in my treatment and not that the Dr is a dictator. There are still things that I can't figure out and I rely on their expertise, but for the most part, I do try to

I hope you figure out whats wrong soon. And I hope you will be comfortable soon.

yeah_im_crazy

10-19-2006, 09:34 PM

ewww, that must hurrt, i know. one time i went to my friends house to sleep over and i was going to sleep on the couch. i put some blankets on there and after my "bed" was made i decided to make it an official bed, i had to run and jump onto it. well i did that and the instant i landed on the couch i felt a sharp searing pain in my tailbone. i was ....whats the word....groveling, on the ground for like 5 minutes and so when i felt a eeny bit better (i was near tears, you know how it hurts so much your stomach hurts.) i went back to that couch and surprise! there was a camera stuck inbetween the couch cushions!!!! i got the camera and went upstairs and told my friend angie how i fell on her camera. but the funniest thing that happened was when i told her, instead of being like, "are you okay??" she said, "did you break my camera?!?!" what a great friend, eh?? and it hurt so much for like a month. i had to lay down on my stomach and put an ice bag and heating pad alternately on my butt for like two hours a day!!!! well hope this helps. looking at it now, it wont help you in really any way but make you laugh. hehehehe.

Jeremy

10-19-2006, 10:51 PM

My specialty is workers compensation law in CT. I know a lot of good doctors around the state and I'm an RN too. I would first see an orthopedic surgeon specializing in back problems. Dr. Gerald Becker in Hartford is excellent and very conservative as far as operating goes. If you have a non surgical problem then I would see a physiatrist. Dr Kaplan at Gaylord in Wallingford is very very good and they have a top notch back program there. Many of my clients unfortunately have debilitating back pain and both of these doctors have been very helpful. Good Luck

10-19-2006, 10:56 PM

one time i went to my friends house to sleep over and i was going to sleep on the couch. i put some blankets on there and after my "bed" was made i decided to make it an official bed, i had to run and jump onto it.

OMG! This is totally off topic on my own post, but I did the same thing. The running and jumping part...but guess where I did it??

Marshall Field's Dept store. :roflhard: OMG, I was in my mid-teens and my mom and I were at the Grand Avenue Mall in downtown Milwaukee. There was no one up in the bedding dept and I saw this bed that looked so comfy, so me being me decided, "Hey, I'm going to run and jump on that bed". Try and picture that image of me heading straight for that bed and then....WHAM! It broke!! :roflhard: :chair: :roflhard: OMG, I laughed sooooo hard, as did my mom. Thank god there was no one up there, except the video survaillance system, but they sure got a good laugh!!!

And no, I didn't hurt myself, thank god... :teehee:

HamburgKnitter

10-20-2006, 03:08 AM

Please see another doctor! Go to a doctor until you get your pain diagnosed. I've suffered from back problems my whole life and I can really relate to being in pain and feeling immobile. A few years ago I had really bad shooting pains down my right leg and my foot kept going numb. The first doctor was convinced that I had somehow injured my leg although I knew I hadn't. He wrapped up my knee and I suffered for another couple of weeks. Then I went to a second doctor. He sat me on his table and asked me to stretch out my leg. "does that hurt?". "yes". He asked me to stretch out my other leg. "does that hurt in other leg too?" "yes". 5 seconds later he correctly diagnosed me with a pinched nerve and I began a heat therapy that fixed me up.

In my opinion, doctors should not just see their patients as patients, they should see them as customers - and the customer is king, right? :!!!:

CarmenIbanez

10-20-2006, 11:44 AM

You are darn right!

Viva la patient!

10-20-2006, 11:45 AM

My specialty is workers compensation law in CT. I know a lot of good doctors around the state and I'm an RN too. I would first see an orthopedic surgeon specializing in back problems. Dr. Gerald Becker in Hartford is excellent and very conservative as far as operating goes. If you have a non surgical problem then I would see a physiatrist. Dr Kaplan at Gaylord in Wallingford is very very good and they have a top notch back program there. Many of my clients unfortunately have debilitating back pain and both of these doctors have been very helpful. Good Luck

Jeremy,

Once again, thank you for your help :heart: First the collections business and now this, you are truly a knight in shining armour. :hug:

I will give these doctors a call and see if I can get in with one of them. I'm kinda scared (that's really not the right word) about going to another doctor. So many of them don't believe me, why don't they believe me? Maybe because I was so young and having so many problems, but that's not right either. For god's sake people in their 20's have heart attacks! It happens in young people, we get sick, hurt whatever. We shouldn't have to fight to get the right help.

I'm wondering if the insurance companies have anything to do with it...duh. :?? Of course they do, but don't these doctors take an oath or somthing?

I'm rambling now, I'll stop.

rebecca

10-20-2006, 02:18 PM

I'm so sorry that you have not yet found the solution.
As for going to the orthopod, or any other specialist, you are probably going to have to be referred by your primary doc for the insurance to pay.
I would insist that she do more tests and/or send me to the orthopod. As for why they don't believe you, I'm afraid that drug seekers have done that for all of us! Some docs automatically assume that the patient is looking for drugs, especially when an injury is not "seen" right away, sorry, but this is so true, and not meant as a reflection on you, of course. Are you in a position to stay off of your feet for a few days? I would think that alternating heat and ice might help, did your doc even suggest this?! From a person who lives in pain, I'm repulsed that your doc said to live with it! That is NOT acceptable. If ibuprofen isn't helping perhaps aleve will, don't take both in the same day, both are NSAIDS and you are not to take them together, as a matter of fact, it's a good idea to consult your doc about it, and ask her to give you something for the pain! Perhaps if she does that and you take it at night you will at least get a good night's sleep.
I'm praying for you :hug:

10-20-2006, 02:49 PM

Well as far as the drug-seeking jerks that have ruined it for all of us, I'm not one of them. My poor body can't take heavy drugs. Percoset makes me hurl, so the strongest I can handle is the ibuprofen and so forth.

I still haven't heard about my x-rays so I'm assuming I didn't break anything or I probably would have heard from her by now. I'll call by 4:30 if I haven't heard from them by then.

We don't need a referral for our insurance thank god, so that's not the issue although since we've moved out here the DOCTORS are the ones who want the referral, not the insurance company. Nonsense. If they'll pay for it...I know there is more than one way to look at something, but it's still irritating. Back home you could go to whomever you wanted no questions asked.

I think the other reason she said I had to put up with it is because I don't have the pain when I do certain things...BUT it does hurt everyday and no it's not as painful all the time, but most of the time it is excruciating. That's why I went to her in the first place.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and suggestions on this issue. :heart:

Jeremy

10-20-2006, 02:52 PM

Its kind of scary how Google can pick up on the conversation in these pages. At the bottom of my screen is a google ad for the "original tush cush",as well as other ads offering relief for coccyx pain. :shrug:

CarmenIbanez

10-20-2006, 02:58 PM

Weird, really? Mine has said Verilux Craft Light every time I visit this thread....

10-20-2006, 04:11 PM

Doc called and surprise!! It's not broken. I asked her about the cortisone injection and she said that that would probably not work. :roll:

She said I need to wait another 2-3 weeks before she'll recommend a orthopedic doctor. IT'S BEEN 10 MONTHS, how much longer must I suffer. Is she kidding me? She said they won't do anything for me anyway. Oh my goodness, I could just go on and on about that but I will spare you my ranting. :!!!:

I guess I have to do this my way. :pout:

CarmenIbanez

10-20-2006, 04:25 PM

How far is Connecticut from Annapolis MD? I am going to be in Annapolis on the 3rd of November and I am tempted to come up there and kick that chicks :!!!: !

Do you really need a referral or can you go to one of the docs that Jeremy recommended?

janelanespaintbrush

10-20-2006, 04:41 PM

:wall: :wall: :wall: If I were you, I'd be looking for a new primary care physician. Having her as your regular doctor can't be good for your emotional health.

10-20-2006, 09:14 PM

How far is Connecticut from Annapolis MD? I am going to be in Annapolis on the 3rd of November and I am tempted to come up there and kick that chicks :!!!: !
Well according to Yahoo's maps, its about 306 miles. :teehee: But I do appreciate the offer. :heart:

Do you really need a referral or can you go to one of the docs that Jeremy recommended?

I think it would depend on the doctor. With most of the specialist I've gone to I just tell them my doctor referred me, that's what the nurse told me to do so that's what I've been doing. Some doctors I've gone too, don't even ask for one, but there are some that have asked for my doctors name.

But I will give those doctors that Jeremy suggested a call on Monday. Wish me luck...

rebecca

10-21-2006, 09:41 PM

I'm happy to hear it's not broken, I still canNOT believe that she told you that another doc won't do anything, that's infuriating! I do so hope you are feeling better!

FYI, I, in no way, shape, or form, meant that you were in any way a drug seeker!!! I was just talking about that's the way docs are because of this type.

Are you calling the doc Jeremy suggested next week? It's often so hard to get into an ortho's office, I hope this one doesn't take forever!

10-22-2006, 06:07 PM

FYI, I, in no way, shape, or form, meant that you were in any way a drug seeker!!! I was just talking about that's the way docs are because of this type.

Are you calling the doc Jeremy suggested next week? It's often so hard to get into an ortho's office, I hope this one doesn't take forever!

Oh Rebecca!!! I know you weren't saying I was a drug pusher. :rofl: I'm sorry if it came across that I thought you thought that about me. :teehee:

I completely understood what you meant. Sorry it took so long for me to reply, but I've been nursing a nasty migraine today so I'm a bit groggy and this is my first time on the computer today. I'm feeling much better, but it took all day to get there. :roll: I really hate these things.

But in answer to your question about the doctors, yes, I'm going to try calling them tomorrow. First I'll have to check with our insurance if they're covered since our coverage is changing beginning in November. Grrrrr, I'm so upset at that. Less coverage that costs us more money. :!!!:

IT'S JUST WRONG!!! Okay, rant over. :teehee:

Jeremy

10-22-2006, 08:36 PM

Hang in there. I'm sure that I can help you find a doctor that your insurance will cover. :hug:

rebecca

10-22-2006, 10:23 PM

Jeremy, you are so sweet! how very thoughtful of you!

Oh My, I in no way, shape, or form thought badly of you!! No, No, No! I, know just how you feel, honestly! I would never, ever think badly of someone concerning pain! My goodness, I see a pain specialist once a month, I understand pain! That's why I was so concerned that she didn't prescribe pain meds and/or stronger NSAIDS, or something along that line.
I am sorry that you have had a migraine on top of everything else, I do so hope that has gone away.
Keep us informed, please.